Using herbs or other natural remedies may help alleviate eczema symptoms. However, there is not enough clinical research to support its clear benefits for this skin condition. Always consult your healthcare team for treatment options first.

Ayurveda is a form of traditional medication that originated in India and has been practiced for thousands of years, using a holistic approach for the body, mind, and spirit when managing health issues.

While research isn’t strong on how it helps manage eczema and other skin disorders, some believe eczema develops when your energies are out of balance.

So Ayurveda is designed to balance these imbalances through natural treatments, purifying the body to remove toxins that cause eczema symptoms.

In Ayurveda, it’s believed that each person has three energies, or doshas. These doshas comprise the energies of vata, pitta, and kapha. Each dosha controls specific bodily functions.

According to Ayurvedic medicine, maintaining a balance of your doshas is essential for good health.

Learn more about these Ayurvedic doshas and what they mean for your overall health.

In Ayurvedic medicine, eczema is primarily treated with Panchakarma therapy, a type of detoxification and rejuvenation treatment.

This method is also used to treat other skin conditions, such as psoriasis and acne.

To receive Panchakarma therapy, you will need to visit an Ayurvedic practitioner. It may include treatments and procedures like:

  • consuming medicated ghee for 5 to 7 days
  • whole body oil massage
  • inducing sweating
  • inducing purging and
    vomiting

These treatments aim to alleviate eczema symptoms by removing toxins and supporting the immune system.

Ayurvedic treatment also involves consuming various herbs. You can add them to cooked food, drink them as tea, or take them as supplements.

If you’d like to take supplements, work with your Ayurvedic practitioner to ensure you’re taking the correct dosage.

Certain herbs and medications may interact negatively, so it’s important to follow your practitioner’s instructions.

Be sure to also follow up with your other healthcare professionals, such as your doctor or pharmacist, about interactions with any prescription medications, supplements, or herbs you take.

The following herbs are used to treat eczema symptoms:

Since stress can trigger eczema symptoms, you can also take Ayurvedic herbs that support the nervous system. Examples of these herbs include:

An Ayurvedic treatment plan for eczema also includes dietary changes.

Typically, it’s recommended to eat a plant-based diet rich in whole and unprocessed foods. The ideal diet for eczema also includes foods high in:

  • essential fatty acids
  • zinc
  • vitamin A
  • vitamin C

These nutrients are said to reduce eczema symptoms.

Treatment also includes drinking lots of fluids. Licorice tea and aloe vera juice are among the recommended drinks.

To soothe your skin, you can also try topical natural remedies for eczema.

These may include oatmeal baths, aloe vera gel, witch hazel, and different oils such as coconut, hempseed, or sunflower

Is stress management a part of Ayurveda?

Yes, Ayurvedic eczema treatment also focuses on relieving stress because this can trigger eczema flare-ups.

You may help manage stress in many different ways, including:

Try these 16 simple ways to help manage your stress and anxiety.

Though Ayurveda has been used by many people, there are potential drawbacks to the practice.

There isn’t a lot of hard evidence to confirm its safety and efficacy. But generally, research does suggest it’s without major side effects or consequences. More well-designed clinical trials are needed to support its use for eczema.

Some treatments used to purify and detoxify the body might be unsafe.

Other possible disadvantages include:

  • Exposure to harmful metals: Ayurvedic remedies might contain toxic levels of arsenic, mercury, or lead. They also aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For supplements, it may be more challenging to be certain about the contents of products without this additional verification.
  • Allergies or reactions: You might have a negative reaction to certain herbs or plants. If it’s your first time using a remedy, use caution.
  • Interactions with prescriptions: Ayurvedic remedies could interact with prescription drugs.
  • Slow results. Ayurvedic treatments take some time to work. It’s important to practice patience when using Ayurveda.

In Ayurveda, eczema is typically treated through eating style adjustments and natural remedies. It also relies on purification methods, which are said to control eczema by removing toxins from the body.

Despite these potential benefits, there isn’t enough scientific evidence to support its use for eczema. Therefore, it’s not recommended to replace your existing treatment plan with Ayurveda.

If you’re interested in trying Ayurvedic treatments, be sure to work with a trained Ayurvedic practitioner. Always consult your primary care doctor and dermatologist.